MAGNUMS
"Tyson Stelzer 97points
PN AYC18 is a showpiece for the expansive dimensions, intoxicating allure and purity of Aÿ pinot noir; a wonderfully characterful blanc de noirs that celebrates the sumptuous fruit generosity of 2018 and the purity and precision of this fabled cru. With the generous tones of a full straw hue and a blush tint, it ripples with grand fruit depth of red cherries and perfectly ripe plums. The magnificent depth of complexity that is Bollinger rumbles in deep reserves, reminiscent of fruit mince spice and dried nectarines. I love that it is so emphatically Aÿ, so intrinsically Bollinger, and yet all transposed with the transparency and delicious fruit generosity that is 2018. It holds fantastic, succulent allure on a very long finish; the ripeness of 2018 translating in supple, silky fruit generosity, yet in no way heavy or broad, beautifully energised by the fine chalk salinity and pure acid freshness that make Aÿ such a beloved place."
This is the fourth wine in a series of releases from Bollinger that showcase a different cru (village). Each cuvée explores terroir in different ways and this release is from Aÿ, one of the rare 17 villages to be classified as Grand Cru. As the home of Bollinger, it is major source of grapes for this cuveé which includes reserve stock aged in magnums from 2009 to bring a sense of aromatic harmony and further complexity to the blend.
Dennis Bunner, Bollinger’s late Chef de Cave, explained ‘2018 was a wonderful year for me, at the level of 2008! Warmer, yes – it was very early and we commenced harvest on 24 August – but we had perfect sunny conditions and perfect balance between sugar and acidity. Like 2008, we had very cool nights, which is the key for making great wines in Champagne’
